What is countersteering?

What is countersteering?

• A. Pressing on the handgrip in the direction of the turn
• B. Turning the handlebars opposite to the turn
• C. Leaning the motorcycle without steering input
• D. Applying the brakes to pivot

Answer: (A)

Countersteering is the technique you use to start a turn by briefly steering the handlebars in the opposite direction of the way you want to go. When you want to lean into a left turn, you momentarily push the left handlebar away from you (opposite to the turn). This action makes the bike lean to the left, and once you’re leaned, you steer into the turn to complete it. Pushing the handgrip in the direction of the turn would steer the bike toward the corner from the start, which doesn’t create the necessary lean at typical riding speeds. So to begin a turn, you steer opposite to your intended direction, then guide the bike through the turn.

Countersteering is the technique you use to start a turn by briefly steering the handlebars in the opposite direction of the way you want to go. When you want to lean into a left turn, you momentarily push the left handlebar away from you (opposite to the turn). This action makes the bike lean to the left, and once you’re leaned, you steer into the turn to complete it. Pushing the handgrip in the direction of the turn would steer the bike toward the corner from the start, which doesn’t create the necessary lean at typical riding speeds. So to begin a turn, you steer opposite to your intended direction, then guide the bike through the turn.